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Steel building fiber glass insulation is an important component in the vast majority of Capital Steel's building projects. When a fiber glass insulation package is utilized in the interior of a steel building, unlike other insulation packages, it may be visible to the occupants of the building. Proper insulation performance is based on three critical factors – that there are no leaks from the roof and walls of the structure, that the fiber glass product is dry and clean before installation and that the interior condensation is controlled after installation.
Fiber glass steel building insulations are typically installed with a facing material laminated to the surfaces and that may be visible. This approach is due to performance requirements. There are four basic reasons for using facing:
If a few simple precautions are followed fiber glass insulation for steel buildings has a long serviceable life and will provide superior performance. First of all insulation should be kept dry and clean before it is installed and applied only to dry and clean surfaces. Additionally precautions should be taken to protect the insulation from coming in contact with moisture during any part of the installation process. Provided the facing is correctly designed, routine inspection and maintenance of the vapor retarder can safeguard the integrity of the entire insulation system once installation is complete.
The introduction of moisture into the steel building interior can create a number of problems. This can be moisture from condensation, humidity, ground water or rain. Moisture in the insulation can deteriorate the thermal properties and can seriously reduce the effective life of the entire insulation system. Additionally any water in contact with metal or steel can cause corrosion and reduce the serviceable life of the structure. Finally, water ponding in any area can cause dripping and staining which may also cause mold, mildew or unpleasant odors within the building.
The question is often asked whether any insulation that becomes wet for any reason should be replaced. The answer is an unqualified “yes”. It is especially crucial to have this done when flooding or storm damage is involved because of the introduction of contaminants that may adhere to the insulation materials. No guarantee of the return of the acoustical and thermal properties of insulation can be anticipated simply by allowing the insulation to “dry out”. Replacement of wet insulation is imperative because contaminants in the water may adhere to the insulation materials and can contribute to odors or the growth of mold and/or mildew.
There is a mold-growth test that insulation materials must pass before being considered for introduction into the steel building environment. Simply, fiber glass insulation that is both dry and clean will not support fungus or mold. However, once insulation is exposed to moisture and dirt mold or mildew can develop readily.
It is important to control condensation within a steel building. The building design, insulation utilized, and maintenance factors are all a part of this process.
A vapor barrier is one of the most important materials in controlling condensation. Proper installation parameters must be followed especially in severe winter weather areas.
To prevent condensation the insulation utilized has to be thick enough to maintain the facing surface temperature at a level above the interior ambient dew point. Please note that the design parameters for control of condensation may be at a different level than that for building energy conservation.
Proper sealing of the vapor barrier is also important to the control of condensation. This would include punctures, joints, seams or any other areas that may introduce water vapor into the interior environment.
An important design factor is the venting to the exterior on the cold side of the insulation to remove moisture that gets past the barrier.
There are a lot of technical descriptions about water vapor permeance. The lower the number in vapor permeance (perm) rating, the more capable that the vapor barrier is in resisting water vapor through the barrier. A vapor barrier should be chosen that has the lowest available perm rating number. A perm rating of 1.0 or less is highly recommended and qualifies the material as an adequate vapor retarder. Where high interior humidity conditions exist a perm rating of .02 is recommended.
Capital Steel Industries provides this information to enhance consumer awareness about various subjects. If you have additional questions please feel free to call Capital Steel at 1-800-246-9640.
Read more about Capital Steel's building insulation recommendations
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